Germany’s Bernhard Langer thrilled home fans at the WINSTONgolf Senior Open, carding a sensational bogey-free 62 to take a commanding lead after the opening round in Vorbeck.
The two-time Masters champion was in clinical form as he plotted his way around the demanding WINSTONgolf course, picking up 10 birdies without a blemish on his card.
At 10-under-par, the Ryder Cup legend enjoys a four-shot cushion over nearest challengers James Kingston and Markus Brier, who both signed for 66s to sit tied second on 6-under-par.
“It’s been the best round I’ve played in a few months,” said Langer. “I was very happy with six-under yesterday in practice because it was windy, but to go 10-under today and bogey-free makes me very pleased. I had four birdies in a row between the 6th and the 9th, and then finished really strong on 18. I hit a really nice drive and wedge to about 12 feet and made the putt — it was a great way to finish.”
Langer has come close to winning at WINSTONgolf before and knows how much it would mean to finally capture the title on home soil. “It’s always fun to be leading no matter where, but especially here. I’ve been trying to win this tournament a number of times and haven’t done it yet. I lost in a play-off once and finished in the top three or five a couple of times, so it would be nice to finally get a win here.”
Away from his own round, Langer admitted he was keeping one eye on the Ryder Cup. “I hope I get to watch a little bit tonight, although I have an early start tomorrow. But I was glad to see Europe is up when I handed in my scorecard — three matches up and one down, which is a brilliant start.”
South Africa’s Kingston, the reigning OFX Irish Legends champion, polished off his round with back-to-back birdies. Austria’s Brier, already a winner this season at the Black Desert NI Legends, matched him with two birdies of his own to close out his 66 in style.
With Ryder Cup heroes, Major winners and legends of the women’s game all in the field, the 13th edition of the WINSTONgolf Senior Open is already shaping up to be another standout week on the Legends Tour calendar.
Round two begins on Saturday morning, with free entry once again for spectators.
CLICK HERE to register for free tickets.
